Chapter Forty-Five
Maya navigated around the large rocks scattered along the shoreline. Loose gravel created a slipping hazard as she raced toward
her dog and Abigail. Nothing could happen to Juniper. She would never forgive herself.
Abigail was ready with the knife, but Juniper rushed her so hard that when she connected with Abigail’s arm, her grip on the
knife loosened. She attempted to stab Juniper, but the Mal shook Abigail’s arm with so much force that Abigail dropped the
knife.
Maya knew Juniper had been waiting to take this bite for a long time and was enjoying every second of it. Just as Maya approached
so that she could get Juniper to release, the Mal dragged Abigail into the lake.
The cold water made Abigail scream in shock. She started hitting at Juniper, but the dog didn’t stop. She kept dragging her
until Abigail was underwater. Maya didn’t know what to do for a moment. She hadn’t been expecting Juniper to pull Abigail
into the freezing water.
The lake was only about a foot deep where Juniper had Abigail. Maya didn’t know at what point the lake would get deeper. She’d heard there was a large drop-off, but Maya had never been one to swim in glacial lakes and didn’t know where it was located.
There were air bubbles from where Juniper had Abigail submerged. The Mal suddenly popped up, Abigail’s arm still in her mouth.
The motion brought Abigail up too. Abigail gasped for breath. Juniper took a deep breath and pushed Abigail back down into
the lake.
Maya snapped back into the moment. She had to get her dog and Abigail. As Maya rushed toward the lake, Juniper repeated the
same motion of coming up for air and then dunking Abigail again.
In her peripheral vision, Maya saw Hope peering out from her hiding spot.
Dang it, kid. You were supposed to get out of here. How am I supposed to keep you safe if you don’t listen?
Hope’s eyes were wide in shock. Maya couldn’t worry about her right now. And with Juniper trying to drown Abigail, Hope was
safe for the moment. Maya got to the shore and waded in. The frigid water hit her legs, but the air was so hot with the fire
burning it felt good. Juniper had repeated coming up for air, continuing to drag Abigail out too.
Maya ran as fast as she could through the water. The resistance as the lake became deeper slowed her down, but she finally
made it over to where Juniper had Abigail pinned down. She’d never trained for a scenario of getting a dog off a bite and
arresting someone while pinned underwater.
The next time Juniper came up for a breath, Maya grabbed Abigail’s other arm.
She needed to make sure she had control before she let Juniper off the bite.
She didn’t need Abigail dragging her under.
Juniper had a rhythm going now so when she came up for air, Maya twisted Abigail’s arm.
There was no resistance. For all Maya knew, Abigail’s lungs were full of water, although she thought Abigail had been able to get in some deep breaths.
“Juniper. Release,” Maya said as firmly as she could.
Juniper dunked Abigail one more time and then came back up for air. This time, Maya was ready and with all her strength, she
hoisted Abigail to a sitting position so she could take a breath. But Abigail had probably swallowed water and wasn’t breathing.
Maya repeated her command to her dog, who gave her a look that said she’d like to dunk Abigail one more time.
For a moment, Maya thought that she could wait to get Juniper to release. The Mal was able to breathe, but Abigail wasn’t
coming back up to get air. Abigail would be gone and out of her life forever. No trials. No more hurting her loved ones.
But that would be the start of a slippery slope. She wouldn’t be any different from Abigail and the one thing Maya knew—she
never wanted to be anything like Abigail. Ever.
When Juniper decided to let go, Maya got her cuffs out, pulled Abigail’s arms behind her and cuffed her. Then Maya dragged
her out of the water to the shore. It took all of Maya’s strength, but she was able to get Abigail completely out of the water.
Juniper trotted onto the shore and shook, water spraying everywhere, and looked awfully pleased with herself.
Maya leaned over and felt to see if Abigail was breathing. She wasn’t. Maya started chest compressions, counting to thirty,
and then did two rescue breaths. While the CPR wouldn’t necessarily expel water from the lungs, it might help restore breathing
and help Abigail cough out the liquid. Hearing a sputter, she turned Abigail onto her side as water came out and Abigail coughed
some more.
Once Maya was certain Abigail was breathing, she patted her down to make sure she didn’t have any more weapons on her. Maya
didn’t find any. Abigail was still coughing and sputtering, but she finally found her voice.
“I’m going to kill you and your dog,” she said, anger and hate coming through her tone.
“Don’t tempt me to drag you back into the lake and let Juniper finish what she started,” Maya said.
She reminded herself that Abigail would someday have to face a trial and probably life sentence, maybe even the death penalty
if the federal prosecutor decided to charge her with murder for hire of a police officer. If nothing else, federal prison
had no parole. Abigail would never get out and after escaping, she would be in some sort of max ward. Life would be miserable
for her. That was enough payback. Or was it?
Maya pushed that thought aside. “You still want to discuss why you hate me so much, beside the fact that I keep arresting
you?”
Abigail glared at her. Blood ran down her arm where Juniper had bit her. “You’re so arrogant and judgmental. I had to prove myself. I paved the path for women like you in law enforcement. Your life is easier because of people like me.”
“No,” Maya said, taking a closer look at Abigail’s arm. It was going to need stitches. Even underwater, Juniper had done a
great job of biting. She had an amazing grip with the back of her teeth. But without a bite sleeve or other protection, that
grip had shredded Abigail’s arm. Maya was trying to feel a little bit sorry for her, but she couldn’t. “All you did was prove
that you can manipulate, bully and use excuses to get your way. I know you had it rough. But lots of women do. You think I
went without hassling in the military? No. Especially as a marine. But I did my job and I proved myself. I know that horrible
things happen that shouldn’t. I know the truth about what happened to you as a new officer.”
“You don’t know anything,” Abigail said.
Despite Abigail’s tone, Maya could see some tears well up in her eyes. “I know you were sexually assaulted by another officer
when you were just starting out. While I had to prove myself in the marines, I never had anything like that happen to me.
I also know that makes me lucky. Other female marines weren’t so lucky. I have a friend who was assaulted in basic. She reported
it. Nothing was done. But you know what?”
Abigail continued to glare at Maya. Maya hadn’t really expected her to answer so she continued.
“She still served her country and while doing that she didn’t let her case go.
She took it to anyone who would listen. When she was discharged, she told her story to the press and made sure that if nothing else, she could start helping to shape and change policy.
Put pressure on those who didn’t do anything.
Maybe things will never completely change, but she didn’t kill people.
She didn’t commit crimes or kidnap and terrorize a young girl who will now deal with her own nightmares.
Stop giving me crap about how you broke through the glass ceiling.
You did nothing but set women back. Officers like you have no place in this world. ”
Maya hoisted Abigail to her feet. Anger surged through Maya and she knew she needed to calm down. It didn’t matter what she
said. Abigail was never going to change. She was who she was. “That judge who denied your bail and sent you to be detained
in the federal prison was right. You are evil. I’m radioing our location and I can’t wait to turn you back over to the FBI.”
A sly smile spread across Abigail’s face. “I’ll never go to prison. Go ahead and radio in, but know that I’m one step ahead
of you all the time.”
Maya shook. A chill swept over her body despite the heat. What did Abigail mean? Was her partner already here? Or was Josh
dead? Or both?
Juniper came over to Maya and nudged her nose into Maya’s leg as if she too was worried that this nightmare was far from over.